Bradford City have completed the signing of defender Corey O'Keeffe from Barnsley and are extending a trial for experienced midfielder Sam Clucas. The Bantams, currently 11th in League One with six points from four games, are active in the market as they prepare for Saturday's home fixture against Mansfield Town.
Bradford City have brought in defender Corey O'Keeffe from fellow League One side Barnsley for an undisclosed fee. The BBC reported that the 28-year-old has agreed a two-year contract at Valley Parade after three years at Oakwell. O'Keeffe played 117 games for Barnsley but spent the first half of last season on loan at Stockport County.
Manager Graham Alexander told reporters that O'Keeffe is a versatile, attack-minded player. "Corey is versatile and can play on either side of defence," Alexander said. "He is an attack-minded player with very good quality and will strengthen our options." The signing adds depth to a Bradford defence that has conceded four goals in the league this season.
Former Lincoln City midfielder Sam Clucas is having his trial with Bradford City extended. The 35-year-old free agent has been training with the Bantams after leaving Shrewsbury Town by mutual consent earlier this week. Alexander confirmed to BBC Radio Leeds that they want more time to assess the player.
"He has trained with us for a couple of days. He’s a player everybody knows about. We’re just having a look at him," Alexander explained. The manager added that the club's match schedule had fragmented training time, prompting the extension. Clucas, who had a two-year spell at Shrewsbury after leaving Lincoln last summer, is seeking a new club after being told he was not part of their plans.
Bradford City head into the weekend sitting 11th in the League One table. They have six points from their opening four matches, with two wins and two losses. Their goal difference is zero, having scored four and conceded four.
The Bantams are four points behind early leaders Huddersfield Town. Their recent form reads LLWW, following back-to-back defeats after starting the season with two victories. This context makes the upcoming match against Mansfield Town, who are 12th, an important one for Alexander's side to regain momentum. Fans can check the upcoming schedule on our fixtures page.
Bradford City host Mansfield Town at Valley Parade on Saturday, September 5th. A preview from Vavel highlighted several key individual battles that could decide the match. Striker Jake Beesley is expected to face off against Mansfield centre-back Ryan Sweeney, while midfielders Liam Thompson and Callum Connolly will vie for control in the centre of the park.
At the other end, Bradford defender Aden Baldwin is likely to be tasked with containing Mansfield forward Rhys Oates. The Bantams have a poor recent home record against Mansfield, not winning a league fixture at Valley Parade against them since 2021. Mansfield won 5-1 in Bradford during the 2023-24 season. The full squad available for selection can be seen on our squad list.
Graham Alexander was critical of his team's defensive display in their midweek defeat to Cambridge United. He will demand improvement against a Mansfield side that also has six points from four games. The match kicks off at 3pm on Saturday at Valley Parade.
